Why declaring God's Word works: A Faith pespective

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words spoken out contain either life or death, or blessing or cursing. The words we speak can determine the course of life. We can either agree with God or disagree with God and accept the report of fear, failure, and frustration. 

We are continuing to examine why declaring God's Word works. We have seen that when we speak forth the Word, we are hearing God's word declared. As we hear the Word, Faith comes. The more we speak God's Word, our minds are renewed to God's thoughts. The more renewed the mind, the more we agree with God. 

 When we confess God's Word, we are not just making noise. We are adding our agreement with what God has already said about our life and situation. One more thing it does is build an inner image of victory and wholeness.

 This leads us to the next reason why declaring God's Word works: it reprograms our hearts. That is, it gives us a new perspective. It brings about a Faith perspective. 

 When we confess the Word of God, we are depositing the Word in our hearts. We may liken this to farming principles. When we declare His truth, we are planting the seed of the Word in the soil of our hearts. 

 Jesus tells us this is how the kingdom operates in Mark. We are planting seeds with the words we speak. We are planting the seeds of blessing and success in our hearts. The more we speak, our hearts will bring forth a harvest of hope, boldness, and Faith.

 The words we speak can also sow seeds into the lives of those around us. What are we saying to others then? Are we sowing seeds of guilt, shame, and condemnation? Are we declaring favor or failure over others? 

 Parents sowing seeds of disappointment, doubt, and disapproval will see a harvest of depression, despondency, and defeat in the hearts of their children. Sow good seeds to children, to coworkers, to loved ones. Words are seeds; they can plant life and blessing, or plant death and discouragement. 

 In Christ, we are new creations. We have the mind of Christ. We have a new heart. This is our identity, yet the same Apostle of Grace who told us this also told us that we need to renew our minds. Was Paul confused or speaking religious double-talk?

 Paul was not confused; he was essentially telling us to add our agreement with what He has already made us inwardly. With this understanding, living in a fallen, fractured creation can cause negative images to reside inwardly. This is where the power of confessing the Word comes in. 

 When we declare the Word, we are sowing the right seeds in our hearts. The more we speak His Word, the more we are programming our hearts with Heaven's reality. Confession paints an inner image of victory, health, and abundance until what we see inside becomes greater than what we see outside.

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

 When we declare the Word of God, we are agreeing with Heaven's reality. We are depositing His seeds of greatness, abundance, healing, and wholeness in our hearts. We are creating new images inwardly. 

 The more we declare what God says, we are uprooting the negative seeds we have planted in our hearts. When we speak His Word, we are removing the old images of defeat, despair, and doom and reprogramming our hearts with victory and hope. We are adding our agreement with God.

 When dealing with infirmity, sickness, and disease, for instance, sometimes an image of death and despair is planted in the heart. The image may play over and over, of not recovering and growing worse. This inward image must be removed and replaced by declaring what God says and not what the symptoms and situation say.

 The more the Word is declared concerning healing and wholeness, the more the Word is planted in the heart. The more the Word is declared, the more the image of health, recovery, and wholeness is programmed in the heart. The more the Word is sown in the heart, the greater the harvest of faith, hope, and expectation of victory. Declaring the Word doesn’t deny the problem—it replaces the problem’s image with God’s promise. The result is a reprogrammed heart that sees the outcome through God’s eyes instead of fear’s eyes.

 Declaring the Word works because it gives us a fresh perspective—it creates a Faith perspective. The symptoms and situation may scream, but our confession of God’s Word speaks louder. As we hold fast to His promises, we begin to see ourselves whole, blessed, and fulfilled in Him. 

A Faith perspective doesn’t only apply to healing—it shapes every area of life. When lack tries to paint a picture of never having enough, the Word declares, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When fear tries to dominate, the Word declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When discouragement whispers defeat, the Word declares, “Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.”

A Faith perspective is seeing life through God’s promises instead of life’s problems. It’s refusing to let circumstances set the vision of your heart and instead allowing the Word of God to program your inner image of victory. As this perspective takes root, hope rises, peace rules, and Faith produces.

So keep declaring His Word. Keep painting His promises on the canvas of your heart. Before long, you’ll find that what you once only declared, you now experience—because God’s Word always works and never returns void.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Renewing the Mind

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words matter. What we speak carries either life and blessing or cursing and calamity. Words can change our circumstances for the better or prolong them for the worse. 

 What we are saying can minister grace to the hearer, or they can bring hurt or cause strife. What we say can locate whether we are in Faith or in fear, in panic or at peace, wallowing in self-pity or rejoicing in victory. This is why we must be mindful of our words.

 Knowing how vital words are, exploring why declaring or confessing God's Word works. We have seen that when we declare the Word over our lives, Faith comes. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. That means someone has to speak the Word for it to be heard. The greatest way to hear the Word is to hear yourself say it.

 The second reason why declaring God's Word works is that it renews the mind. When we declare what God says, we cause our mind to shift from fear to Faith, from despair to joy, from sadness to gladness. Our thinking begins to align more with God's thoughts on the situation.

 What are God's thoughts? His thoughts are what His Word reveals about our current situation or circumstances. We can realign our thinking with His when we declare what He already said in His Word.

 We begin to think His thoughts when we read His Word, study His Word, and declare His Word and promises. What are His thoughts? They are revealed in what He declared in the Word, what He promised, and what He provided in the Finished Work of Redemption.

 God's thoughts on sin and wrongdoing? He tells what's right and wrong behavior. God's thoughts on sin also reveal that He forgives sins and brings newness of life to those who call upon Him. 

 God's thoughts on condemnation and guilt? Jesus' shed blood is the shame remover. He is satisfied with the perfect Redemptive work of His Son. God's thoughts are of forgiveness and redemption and acceptance, not condemnation.

 God's thoughts on catastrophe and calamity? His Word declares He is a Good God and only does good. He isn't the architect of tragedy, trials, or tribulation. His thoughts of peace, of comfort, and being our stronghold in times of trouble and heartache. He doesn't send the earthquake, but he heals the heartbreak!

 God's thoughts on sickness, disease, poverty, and lack? His Word declares He is the healer and the provider for His people. Jesus bore our sickness and carried our diseases. He is not for sickness and disease; He is for wholeness. 

 He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. He became a curse to redeem us from the curse. He bore the curse of poverty. He took our poverty and gave us His riches on the Cross. God's not saying everyone is going to be a millionaire, but He is saying He is our provider and wants our best, our blessing, and an abundant life. 

 When we declare His Word, His promises and provisions in the Redemptive work, we are renewing our minds to His Thoughts.

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Romans 12:2 VOICE

We are transformed by the renewing of the mind. This means replacing the default setting of defeat, depression, and despair with victory, peace, and joy we already have in Christ. We can conform to the world or allow the Word to reprogram our thinking to life and wholeness. 

We can have a world-renewed mind or a Word-renewed mind. We can have a world-conformed mind, or we can have a Word-conformed mind.

 When we speak out God's Word, we are adding our agreement with what He says. The more we speak in agreement with what He says, our thinking will begin to shift. We will move away from the devil's and world's system, stinking thinking, to glorious transformation in our thoughts. 

 When we declare God’s Word, we are not just speaking into the air. We are reprogramming our minds with His truth. So let's not let the enemy have the last word in our minds. Let's agree with what God says about us. Speak only what God says about our situation. Speak what God says about our future.

Every time we declare His Word, our minds are being renewed, our faith is being built, and our lives are being transformed. That’s why declaring God’s Word works—because it changes the way we think until we see as He sees and believe as He believes.

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Why declaring God's Word works: Faith comes

 

Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach. What their words produce can satisfy them. Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:20-21 NIRV 

 Words are powerful. Good words spoken bring life, health, and hope. Wrong words spoken can create fear, anxiety, and foster hopelessness. Words bring life or death; the choice is ours.

 God's Word declares the power of our tongue. Jesus taught us about words. The Apostles taught us about words. Since we know our words contain either life or death, we should choose to speak life.

 Yet some fail to do this consistently. Why? Perhaps they have never learned why confessing, or saying the same thing God says, works. They possibly see no value or purpose in declaring what God says. Maybe they see it as unnecessary work. 

 Listening to some of the words that have come out of fellow believers' mouths over the years, it seems good to expound on and explain the Scriptural reasons why confessing God's Word "works," or why it is effective, or successful, in its intended operation.

To begin, let's define our terms to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication. The word confession in the Biblical context simply means "to say the same thing." In other words, it means agreeing with God. When we declare God's promises over our life and situation, we are agreeing with what God's Word says.

When we confess God's Word, we are adding our agreement to what God has said about us and what we face. We say what God says not what it looks like or feels like. Confessing or declaring God's Word over our life, our circumstances, or our loved ones is our Faith talking. 

 This leads to the number one reason why declaring God's Word works. When we speak out God's Word, it causes Faith to come. Paul confirms this in Romans.

  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17 NLT

 Faith doesn't come by going through challenging times. Tests and trials don't cause Faith to come. Faith only comes by hearing what God says. 

When we declare God’s Word, we hear it with our own ears. The more we speak it, the more we hear it. The more we hear, the more faith comes. Speaking and hearing create a cycle of faith that grows stronger each time. This Faith brings victory to every area of life.

Suppose you are dealing with feelings of guilt and shame or are experiencing a sense of condemnation. You can speak out that God is disappointed with you, or you can speak to these accusing thoughts. The Word declared there is no condemnation in Christ. The Word declared we are forgiven. 

 Confessing God's Word continually concerning your right standing, your forgiveness of all your sins, and freedom from all condemnation, will cause Faith to come. The more you speak out, the more you will believe what God said is true. Then you will declare in Faith that you are forgiven and free in Christ, and the sense of condemnation and feelings of shame will dissipate. 

 This works the same with divine healing. The symptoms may cry loud, but let your confession of His healing power cry louder! Keep declaring His Word about healing and health. The more you speak His Word, the more Faith for healing comes.

 The more we speak God's Word, the more we hear ourselves declaring God's promises. The more we hear, the more Faith comes. The more Faith comes, the more our Faith grows and develops. This isn't earning or achieving. This is adding our agreement to what His Grace provided through the Finished Work, and what He lovingly promised us in His Word.

 In summation, this confession isn’t magic—it’s agreement with the Living Word, Jesus Himself. So don’t let your words agree with fear, shame, or sickness. Let your words agree with God. Continue to declare His promises over every area of your life. Faith will come, arise in your heart, and as you speak, Faith is released, causing victory to manifest in your life.

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Father of Lights Vol II: the Good Shepherd

 

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

  God our Father is Good. Christians generally believe and accept this as truth. They will proclaim, 'Yes, God is good,' yet when crises or disasters occur, they usually lay the blame on God as the cause, the one who ordains or orchestrates it. 

 They believe God is God, so He must control everything. If He controls everything, that means He causes disaster for some mysterious purposes, yet rest assured, it's for our best. When we remove hyper sovereignty as an attribute of God, we can better see God's role in crisis, disaster, dysfunction, and turmoil. 

 God is God! He is the supreme ruler of the universe. He does have it all under control. God’s control is not robotic or coercive. He doesn’t program evil or disaster. Disasters and famines are the result of a fallen creation, not God killing people. Crime, violence, dysfunctional, and abusive families are not God's handiwork. Again, in a fallen world, sinful mankind acts out that sin, causing harm and hurt to others.    

  Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd protects His flock. He provides for His flock. He preserves His flock. Look at the Father through the lens of Jesus, and you will see God's Goodness at all times, laying the blame for bad things that happen on the right source.  The source being the enemy satan, fractured and fallen creation, and the choices and actions of sinful man. 

 Knowing this, we can rest in His Goodness. If we know He isn't the one ordaining harm or horrendous events, we can trust Him with our whole lives. We can trust our Good Shepard to protect us and provide for us. He is merciful and compassionate. He isn't withholding deliverance, healing, or provision. He heals and protects and provides because He loves us.

 Another aspect we should place our full trust in is that the Good Shepherd preserves the sheep. Many believe our salvation is rooted in our ability to remain sin-free and steadfast, never wavering. Our trust is in our efforts and performance. 

 The Good Shepherd preserves His flock. When we first trusted in Him alone, He sealed us with His Spirit until the day of Redemption. So many believe the security of their salvation is based on their grip on God. The Good News is that the security of our salvation is based on His grip on us! 

 This is Good News, this is the best news! Jesus is preserving us and will never relax or loosen His hold upon us. 

  27 My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me. 28 I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from My hand. 29 My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 VOICE

   God has us in the palm of His hands, and nothing will ever change that. His Grace grip has firmly secured and preserved us for all time and eternity. There is nothing that removes us from this Graceful grasp. 

    Jesus the Good Shepherd protects, provides for, and preserves His sheep. God is the author of salvation. Jesus is the beginning and developer of our Faith. What He started, He finishes. He who began the good work in you will be Faithful to complete it. 

   God is Good and only does good. He is not the author of disaster or death. He gives life eternal and is not the author of evil or calamity. In every storm, in every need, in every moment of doubt—we can look to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and know we are protected, provided for, and preserved forever. He is always Good.

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Father of Lights Vol II: Only Good

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 When the Father sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, He demonstrated to the world just how loving He is. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the enemy. He revealed the very nature and character of God.

God is Good all the time. This is not just a cliché or a catchy Christian phrase. God revealed His kindness, mercy, and goodness through the redemptive work of Jesus. When the disciples asked Jesus to “show us the Father,” He replied, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”

So we must ask: Did Jesus ever send destruction or tragedy when He walked the earth? Did He ever give someone a crippling disease or inflict pain and suffering? Did He destroy lives—or save them?

If the answer is no, then we can know with confidence that God is not the author of evil or tragedy. Jesus never afflicted, killed, or harmed. He is Good—and He can only be Good!

 You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:68 NLT

You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness. Psalm 119:68 MSG

  The Word of God, our source of truth and guide for living, shows that God is only Good. God only does Good. 

 As of this writing, we in Texas have just witnessed a terrible tragedy. Texas experienced a flash flood that took so many lives. Many of the lost were young Christians at summer camp. When tragedy strikes, questions arise.

 It's good to ask questions. It's good to seek clarity and understanding during hard times. God is not afraid of man's questions from a place of anger and sorrow. He is our Father, and He cares for us.

 When tragedy strikes, we must be firmly established in the truth that God is Good and only does Good. We must be rooted in the truth that He is Good and not the author of destruction, death, and disaster. This Goodness is an anchor that produces hope during the worst circumstances. 

 In a fallen and fractured creation, storms arise and waters overflow. In a fallen world, floods occur. This is not the handiwork of God. This is the result of life in a fallen world. Yet during these times, God's peace and comfort are there, meeting us right where we are. 

 Let us never confuse life in a fallen world with the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we don’t understand, let us cling to what we do know:

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)  

  He is not the destroyer. He is the Deliverer. And His Goodness is more than enough to carry us through.

His Goodness offers us hope that there is peace, healing, and restoration in Him. It may look hopeless, feel painful, and seem like never-ending sorrow is all we have to look forward to. Yet His Goodness brings hope. This hope will sustain anyone through the hard times.

His Goodness also allows us to run to Him during times of suffering. He is not the author of the storm, the trial, the tragedy, but He heals the heartbreak in the middle of it all. God is right there with the one afflicted. He is such a Good Father.

 In times like these, when the questions are many and the pain is raw, let’s hold fast to what is unshakable: God is Good, and He is for us. Let His Goodness be your stronghold, your refuge, and your peace. He has not abandoned you—He never will. Run to Him. Trust Him. Let His love surround you, heal you, and lift your eyes. Even in the darkest valley, the light of His Goodness will guide you home.

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Faith Food: What are you feeding on?

 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NASB
So · faith comes from hearing the message, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 MOUNCE'

Today, many focus on diet, what we eat, and what we drink. Some even discuss, debate, and dispute which kind of diet is best for people. Is it a low-carb diet, a keto diet, or a no-dairy diet? This discourse seems endless. I don't have the answers for a natural diet, but I would like to ask about your spiritual diet.

 What are you feeding on, so to speak? Are you feeding on fear, anxiety, or worry? Are you feeding on the natural circumstances? What it looks like? How long its been that way? Are you feeding on the religious traditions of men? Telling you God's power has ceased, or how you never measure up to God's standards?

What you feed on—what you consistently give your attention to—shapes your life and the direction of your destiny in Christ. If all you feed on is fear and anxiety, and worry, then you will never fully trust God and take Him at His Word. If you feed on tradition, you will always second-guess your worth, value, and right standing in God's eyes.

 This is why it is essential to know and understand fully the Goodness of our Loving Father. Our Father is Faithful and true. No matter what we are facing, we know He is Good and He is not the author of our trouble or tribulation, but rather He is the victorious Savior, causing us to triumph over them. 

 When we know His character, His Goodness and Faithfulness, we can then take Him at His Word. Knowing His Word is true, because the One who spoke them is Good, Loving, and merciful. We can believe in and act on His Word because He is Faithful to His Word. 

 This is what Peter did, in Luke's Gospel. He took Jesus at His Word, and we see the result: a boat sinking harvest.

 Peter, an experienced fisherman, understood the circumstances. In the natural, a great catch after a fruitless night was unlikely. Peter said Nevertheless, at your Word I will let down the net. The Greek word here is the word Rhema. It means what is uttered, spoken, or declared. In essence, it can be a divine declaration. 

 What has God divinely declared over you? He declares that you are loved. He declares you are healed and whole. He declares you are free from fear, worry, and anxiety. When you accepted His free gift, He declared that you were His own. You are His child and have purpose and a future. He declared that you are the Righteousness of God and are accepted and approved.

 This is what you need to be feeding on. Not your temporary circumstances, challenges, or struggles. You need to tune out the negative and tune in to what God says about you. Tune in to what He accomplished for you in His redemptive work. Tune into what His triumphant resurrection purchased, procured, and provided for you.   

 How do you feed? By giving attention to His Word and what the Cross provided. Take time to study and read the Word, and see what God says and what He did about your situation. In essence, agree with God and receive all He has for you. When you feed on the Word of Christ and all He did for you, your Faith will grow exceedingly. 

image by Grok3 on X 

Father of Lights: Cruel God and cruel men.

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 God is a Good Father. He has revealed Himself as the Father of Lights. In Him, there exists no darkness at all. He is not the author or orchestrator of death, disaster, or destruction. He is the author of Abundant Life. 

 Does it matter whether we receive and understand this truth? Absolutely. If we want our faith to grow strong and steadfast, we must know the character of the One who makes the promise. Trust is built on knowing the heart behind the words. If we are to confidently trust a Savior who offers eternal life through simple belief, we must be fully convinced of the goodness and integrity of the One who offered it.

 As important as those things are, there is another reason we must know the character of God. We are told to emulate, to be like God throughout the Word. We have sayings like;

 What would Jesus do?

 If we think of Jesus and the Father and the Spirit as harsh taskmasters who are quick to punish, point out our sins and shortcomings, and separate themselves from us, how will we treat others? 

 When men believe they serve a cruel God, they themselves will become cruel. If they see God as angry, obsessed with rules, and determined to make them do what they dread simply to prove His power, it will shape their hearts into the same harsh image. A distorted view of God always produces a distorted life.

 The Lens of the Heart

The way we perceive God becomes the lens through which we see everything else.
If we believe God is unpredictable, harsh, and ready to lash out, we will approach life with fear, suspicion, and anxiety.
We will struggle to rest, to trust, or to live with joy — because deep down, we will always be bracing ourselves for the next blow.

But if we see Him as the Father of Lights, the One who is pure goodness with no shadow of turning, our hearts can finally exhale.
We can live freely, joyfully, and fearlessly, rooted in the unwavering love of a perfect Father.

"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

Religious Fear Produces Religious Cruelty

Many believers today, though sincere, have been taught to fear God in the wrong way.
Not with a holy awe for His majesty and grace, but with a terror of punishment and rejection.
This false fear hardens hearts. It produces believers who are more judgmental than joyful, more condemning than compassionate.

The truth is, a cruel view of God creates cruel men.
If you believe God is constantly displeased with you, you will live displeased with yourself and others.
You will feel justified in being critical, harsh, and unkind because you think that's how God is.

This isn't holiness. It's hurt wearing a religious mask.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." (1 John 4:18)

The Father of Lights

Our God is not two-faced. He is not sometimes good and sometimes cruel.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever — good, faithful, merciful, and kind.

He corrects His children, yes — but He corrects by reminding us who we are in Christ, not by crushing us with calamity.
He leads by love, not by fear. He builds up — He doesn’t tear down.

Beloved, reject every image of God that is less beautiful than Jesus.
Reject the religious lie that portrays the Father as cruel, calculating, and condemning.
Embrace the radiant truth that your Father is the Father of Lights — and in Him, there is no darkness at all.

You were created to reflect the One you behold.
Behold His goodness — and you will shine.

 Religious traditions' distortion of God has created the image of a cruel God. This cruel image causes the thinking of the religious mind to be programmed to condemnation, shame, and guilt. We direct this first toward ourselves, and afterwards to others around us.  

 This makes us forget who the Father is. We forget that we cannot come to God based on our merits. We forget that it was only the shed blood of Jesus that makes us worthy. 

Summarizing, why must we know and understand how good God truly is? Because everything in the Christian life rests upon this truth. His goodness and His grace are not side notes—they are the very foundation! The entire Christian life rises or falls on this revelation. His goodness is the anchor of our faith, and His grace is the melody of the Gospel—without them, there is no true Christianity, only cold religion.

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Father of Lights: What is the Chastening of the Lord

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 If one subject or concept has caused much misunderstanding in the Body of Christ, it is the chastening of the Lord. The belief that God punishes His children or inflicts hardship to teach them a lesson is one of the most damaging lies a believer can hear. 

 It distorts the very nature and character of God, painting a Father who wounds to correct, rather than one who heals to restore. This misconception doesn’t just create confusion—it erodes trust, hinders intimacy, and misrepresents the heart of the Father revealed through Jesus.

Chastening is often misunderstood because it’s rarely defined by its true New Testament Greek meaning. Instead, people interpret it through the lens of painful experiences and outward hardships. These events become the definition of the chastening of the Lord rather than the Scriptures themselves. This is why people see God as a harsh taskmaster.

Observable hardships and adversity seem to be some kind of proof of divine discipline in the minds of traditional religious believers. But biblical chastening isn’t about punishment—it’s about loving instruction and correction that aligns with God’s goodness and grace. The chastening of the Lord is loving instruction and correction from our Father, who cares for us.

 The Lord's chastening is the Father's instruction to His child. It is correction, not condemnation. It is the conviction of your Righteousness in Christ, not catastrophes. It is coaching, not cancer. God is not crushing you, He comforts you and corrects you because He loves you.

 Hebrews 12 gives us the most detailed look at what the chastening of the Lord really is. It is not calamities and cataclysmic events in your life. It is God's instruction. A basic Bible search of the Greek word chasten will show you how, in other passages, it is translated as instruction, teaching, and learning.

Think about it: when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth—a group indulging in all kinds of excesses and immorality—he never once said, “God is going to chasten you with hardship.” Instead, he reminded them of who they were in Christ:

“Don’t you know you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?”

“Such were some of you, but you were washed, sanctified, and justified…” 

God’s correction comes through reminding you of your identity—not sending disaster to break your will.

 Why do so many ministers and believers, though, continue defining chastening as hardship and adversity? The reason for this, to me, is that they have a fearful expectation of judgment. That is, they have a fear of punishment. I believe the Apostle John has some insight into this.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. So the one who fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 MOUNCE

 So many define chastening from the Lord as painful instruction and punishment because they have not been perfected in Love. That is, they have not been seen, understood, or gained insight into God's perfect Love for them! When you know and believe that God Loves you and is not mad at you when you fail, you won't believe it's His hands bringing destruction and calamity to your life. 

God is a good Father. He doesn’t chasten His children with pain, punishment, or destruction. He corrects us the way a loving parent would—with instruction, compassion, and clarity. His correction aligns with His character—He is the Father of Lights, in whom there is no variation, no shifting shadow, and no hint of darkness.

To say God teaches us through cancer, car accidents, or catastrophe is to say Jesus bore our sin but not our discipline. It’s to suggest that the cross was not enough. But the truth is, Jesus already bore the curse. He already took the punishment. God isn’t doubling back to teach you a lesson through what Jesus died to redeem you from.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t discipline you by destroying your life—He disciplines you by reminding you of your sonship. He teaches you who you are in Christ. When correction is needed, He brings it through the Word, not wrath. Through love, not loss. Through grace, not grief.

So the next time you hear someone say, “God is using this hardship to teach me,” don’t be afraid to ask: “Where’s that in the New Covenant?” Because chastening—real biblical chastening—is God training you up in righteousness. It’s not a divine smackdown. It’s not a trial sent from heaven. It’s your loving Father whispering truth to your heart:

“That’s not who you are. You are holy. You are Mine. Let Me show you a better way.”

This is correction that leads to confidence, not condemnation. This is discipline that reminds you who you are, not punishment that makes you afraid of who He is.

Beloved, reject the religious lie that God teaches through trauma. He teaches through truth. He corrects by revealing your righteousness. He doesn’t bring storms—He calms them. He doesn’t break legs—He heals them. He’s not tearing you down. He’s building you up.

He is the Father of Lights. And in Him, there is no darkness at all.

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Father of Lights: Mercy not wrath!

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

God our Father is a Good Father and in Him is no darkness within Him. He is Good and only does Good. Yet when we see this world around us, filled with famine, disasters, and desolation, we begin doubting His Goodness.

 In these times, we must focus on who God said He was and look to the Son, Jesus who perfectly demonstrated the nature and character of God. Circumstances and situations don't determine who God is. His Word and the work of Jesus do! 

 As we continue studying more about the Father of Lights and examining God's Goodness at all times, let's address this notion of God's wrath and judgment on cities, nations, and continents. God is Good, but is He sending judgment today? Are disasters and destruction the handiwork of God?

 In 2011, the Fukushima disaster occurred in the nation of Japan. It was a terrible tragedy. An earthquake struck the island nation. Subsequently, a tsunami was triggered as a result of this quake. This destruction also caused a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 

 The Christian response to this tragedy? In some circles, they claimed this tragedy was the judgment of God on this Godless nation. For hundreds of years they have rejected Jesus as a nation therefore God sent this devastating disaster to get their attention and to cause them to repent and turn to God. 

 These sentiments are not what brings about a change of mind. Instead, these teachings and proclamations are one of the reasons the Japanese people refuse to accept Jesus or have anything to do With the Father! Is this the message that God endorses and confirms?

 Absolutely not! Look at what He has said already. 

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 MEV

 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10 MEV

 Look at what God declared and revealed to us in the person of Jesus. If God gave up His only Son for us while we were enemies, what would He do after this perfect final sacrifice was offered up and He accepted it fully? 

 If we were enemies and He gave us His Son why do we think under this New Covenant God is sending destructive judgment and wrath on nations? Enemies are adversaries. They are actively opposing and standing against their foe. If God expressed His love for humanity when we were actively resistant and opposing God by giving His Son how much more loving, kind, and merciful is the Father under Grace? 

 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 TLB

 In this 2011 disaster over 19,000 people lost their lives. These are people with families and loved ones. How do we tell these precious people who lost their loved ones that God killed them to get their attention? How do we tell them God killed their babies so they will repent, and then afterward ask, now don't you want to receive Him and serve Him?

 God is a Good Father. How dare we as the Church misrepresent the Father to a lost and fallen people? These who are lost, are sheep scattered with no Shepherd. God's heart is for them to know how much He loves them and how precious they are to Him.

 In a fallen and fractured creation, tectonic plates shift, causing increased damage and devastating destruction. This has nothing to do with God's wrath and judgment. I saw God's hand in the rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts, not in the destruction.

God loves the Japanese people. God wants them saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, healed, made whole, and at rest in Him. We must not misrepresent the Father to a lost and dying world. God is Good and only does Good! 

 God is not the author of disasters. He is not sending destruction to any nation. He is sending the power of the Spirit to the nations. He is revealing His Love and Goodness to the world. He is not sending destruction in wrathful judgment today. 

 Jesus took all the punishment for the sins of all humanity. He bore in His body the wrath and judgment of God. God is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. If He is sending wrath and judgment with tsunamis, tornados, and typhoons that could only mean He is not satisfied with the work of His Son on the Cross, and that is not the truth. Let’s represent the Father rightly. Jesus revealed a God who saves, not destroys. When tragedy strikes, let our message be mercy, not wrath. God isn’t sending disasters—He sent Jesus. And Jesus is enough.

 Let’s be a generation that represents the Father accurately. Let’s proclaim what Jesus came to reveal: a God who rescues, not ruins—who saves, not strikes—who loves, not lashes out. When disaster strikes, the Church should not echo wrath but embody rescue. Let the message we carry be clear—God is not mad at the world; He gave His Son for it. And that Son, Jesus, fully satisfied the justice of God. All that remains is mercy, grace, and the invitation to come home to a Father who is always Good.

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Father of Lights: Healing mercies

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 James declares God to be the Father of Lights. That is the Father in whom there is no darkness and is always Good. Christians need to know and understand who God really is. He is a Good Father, not a harsh taskmaster.

 When we consider the work of Jesus during His earthly ministry, we see Him heal the masses of their sicknesses and diseases. Religious tradition claims Jesus only healed to prove He was the Jewish Messiah. It seems this was a mere wooden, mechanical reaction to the gathering masses. 

 In the mind of the religious, it had nothing to do with God's Love, kindness, Goodness, and mercy. It was merely a mechanical fulfillment of prophecies given long ago and to establish His identity to people. If healing was more than just proving His identity, religious people would have to give an account and answer as to why they teach God no longer heals or brings restoration and wholeness.

 The Scriptures tell a different story. They reveal to us a Father who loves us. They affirm a Savior who was moved with mercy and compassion to restore that which was broken. God is a Good God and He heals because He loves humanity. He created us, surely He loves us as well.

Whenever Jesus healed, we can see the correlation between compassion and the ministry of divine healing. It is the compassion of the Lord that brings wholeness. Faith is trusting in His Love and Goodness. Faith is having a good opinion of God! Faith is being fully persuaded. Persuaded about what though? Fully persuaded that God is a Good Father who loves us unconditionally and is for us and never against us.

 Now someone may say they don't feel worthy to receive healing. I want to share a story from the life of Abraham to offer hope and bring greater clarity to the Lord's loving kindness in healing. Look at Genesis 20. 

 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; Genesis 20:17 NKJV

 This is the first instance recorded in God's Word of divine healing. The law of first mention really helps us get a blueprint and insight into who God is. The law of first mention is a scholarly way of Bible interpretation. Basically, it simply means the first time an event occurs or a word is used, we typically use that instance or definition to define that word or similar event when we see it again in Scripture.

 This passage beautifully illustrates the Love and mercy of God in bringing divine healing. How so? Abraham lied to the people, and the king took a married woman into his palace to be one of his wives. So, both King Abimelech and Abraham were not "worthy" based on their behavior or performance to pray for anything, let alone receive something from a holy God. 

 Yet we see God answer Abraham's prayer for healing and Abimelech's household receiving healing. This beautiful passage reveals to us healing is never about us and our goodness or behavior. It's all about the Goodness of God.

 The Father of Lights brings healing and wholeness because of His Goodness and holiness, not our own. His healing is based on His merciful kindness and compassion and not on something we have done to merit receiving it. Healing is rooted in God's mercy and Love. 

 In summation, let's put our trust in His Goodness alone and not our achievements or merits. He heals because He loves us. He procured our redemption on the Cross, and that's what brings healing, not anything we can do. 

If you’ve ever doubted whether healing is for you, remember: It’s not about your worthiness, but about His goodness. Right now, choose to trust in His love and receive the healing He freely gives!

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